# Widget-backed actions

> Widgets are shown to customers through actions. Creating a widget adds an action automatically, so your agent can render it right away.

A [widget](/docs/widgets/overview) is an interactive UI component the agent renders inside the chat — a product carousel, a booking picker, a form, an order card. The agent shows a widget by running an **action** that points at it. So every widget needs an action to be displayed.

> **YOU USUALLY DON'T HAVE TO WIRE THIS BY HAND:** When you create a widget for an agent, Bookbag automatically adds a matching action to that agent's active actions — so the agent can show the widget right away. You'll see a “Shown via action ✓” badge on the widget.

## How it works

1. **Create a widget** — Build it in the Widgets tab (AI builder, code editor, or a template).
2. **An action is added** — Bookbag creates a “Widget only” action that renders it, enabled and ready.
3. **The agent shows it** — When the conversation calls for it, the agent runs that action and the widget appears inline.

## Add live data: API + Widget

To fill a widget with live data, edit its action (or create a new **API + Widget** action) and add your API request. Bookbag calls your endpoint first, merges the response into the widget, and renders it — so the customer sees real order status, inventory, or account details.

## If a widget has no action

Older widgets (or ones whose action was deleted) show a **“No action — click to add”** badge in the Widgets list. Click it to create the rendering action in one step. You can also manage every widget-backed action from the **Actions** tab.

## Save submissions to your CRM

A widget with a form can also write submissions into the agent's [CRM](/docs/crm/overview) — independent of the action that renders it. See [Save widget submissions](/docs/crm/widget-capture).